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AS PSYCHOLOGY P2 > BASICS OF BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY > Flashcards

BASICS OF BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY Flashcards

(65 cards)

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1
Q

Name 3 key assumptions of biological psychology

A

All that is psychological is first biological
All thoughts feelings and behaviours have a biological base
Genes have evolved over millions of years
Much of human behaviour has a genetic base
Bodily levels of chemical agents influence behaviour
Behaviour is influenced when biological bodily structures are damaged

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2
Q

What types of study are typically used in biological psychology?

A

Laboratory experiments
Case studies
Twin and Adoption studies

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3
Q

Define Central nervous system (CNS)

A

The brain and spinal cord

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4
Q

Define synapse

A

the junction between neurons

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5
Q

Define receptor

A

A site of a dendrite that is designed to bond to a specific type of neurotransmitter molecule

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6
Q

Define neurotransmitter

A

a chemical which allows neurons to communicate with one another

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7
Q

Define action potential

A

the electric triggers that pass along the axon and stimulate the neuron to release neurotransmitters

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8
Q

What 3 biological processes influence and cause behaviours and characteristics in biological psychology

A

Hormones
Genetic inheritance
Brain structure

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9
Q

Define neuron

A

A nerve cell that are specialised to transmit information throughout the body

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10
Q

Outline the structure of a neuron

A 
Dendrite (tips at head)
Nucleus (located in head)
Myelin sheath (covering on the axon)
Node of Ranvier (gap between myeline sheaths)
Axon (tail of the neuron)
Axon terminal (end of the nerve cell)
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11
Q

Outline the steps in which neurons transmit messages

A
  1. Receptors in the dendrites absorb neurotransmitters
  2. Electrochemical impulses (action potentials) travel along the axon in one direction only
  3. This triggers a release of a neaurotransmitter at the axon terminal into the synaptic gap
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12
Q

Define action potential

A

An electrical impulse triggered by a change in the elctrical potential of the neuron and stimulates the realease of neurotransmitters

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13
Q

Outline how an action potential works

A
  1. Neurons have a resting potential that is slightly negatively charged
  2. A neuron is received and one of two things happens;
    a) Excitatory postsynaptic potential
    b) Inhibitory postsynaptic potential
  3. Enough excitatory signals trigger an action potential
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14
Q

What is an Excitatory postsynaptic potential

A

The neuron is depolarised and the negative charge decreases

They come quickly causing a fight response

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15
Q

What is an Inhibitory postsynaptic potential

A

The neuron is hyperpolerised and the negative charge increases

They come more slowly and cause a flight response

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16
Q

What is the All or None Principle?

A

If the depolarisation is not great enough to reach threshold

Then action potential and hence an impulse are not produced

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17
Q

Outline synaptic transmission

A
  1. Action potential travels along presynaptic neuron
  2. Presynaptic neuron releases neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap
  3. Neurotransmitters fit into receptors on the postsynaptic neuron
  4. Only if the receptor fits
  5. Repeating the cycle
  6. Neurotransmitters are reabsorbed
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18
Q

Outline how we catch a ball (CNS)

A
  1. Nerves in our body send information via the spinal cord to the brain
  2. The brain processes this information and sends a message to the body via the spinal cord
  3. eg. our eyes send a message about the oncoming ball to the brain
  4. The brain processes how far the ball is and sends a message to the body telling us to catch the ball
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19
Q

Define dendrite

A

A short branched extension of a nerve cell which absorbs neurotransmitters

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20
Q

Define myelin sheath

A

Insulates the cell in order to contain the electrical impulses (action potential)

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21
Q

Outline the reuptake process

A

The axon terminal reabsorbs (via transport proteins) some of the neurotransmitters it has released once the message has been received at the postsynaptic neuron

This regulates the information we recieve

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22
Q

Outline GABA

A

Relieves anxiety depression and fear, giving a calming effect

By inhibiting messages

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23
Q

Outline Norepinephrine

A

Stress hormone that triggers flight or fight response

Treats ADHD and is also involved in dreaming

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24
Q

Outline Acetylcholine

A

Memory and learning neurotransmitter
Important for motor control and emotions such as anger and sexuality

Low levels may link to Alzheimers

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25
Outline Dopamine
Pleasure neurotransmitter linking to addiction Links to schizophrenia
26
Outline Glutamate
Responsible for cognitive functioning High levels can link to seizures
27
Outline Serotonin
Happiness hormone that regulates mood, sexual and food appetite, sleep, pain and temperature Low levels link to depression and anxiety
28
Define a drug
Hijacks the natural neurotransmitter pathways and has effects on the central nervous system
29
Outline the effects of alcohol on the brain
interferes with communication pathways changing mood, behaviour, and co-ordination Increases GABA reaction inhibiting glutamate
30
Outline the effects of heroin on the brain
Binds to receptors stimulating dopamine release giving a "rush" feeling of pleasure followed by drowsiness as the drug leaves the system
31
Outline the effects of amphetamines on the brain
Increases dopamine noradrenaline and serotonin levels giving an alert and energised feeling often leading to more sociable behaviour
32
Define mode of action
The way a drug works at the synapse and in the brain
33
What is the dopamine pathway?
The reqard pathway (pleasure centre) such as the lymbic system Senstive to dopamine GABA and glutamate
34
How do recreational drugs have a genetic link?
It is adaptive for us to feel good after eating high calorie food as it ensures we store enough fat on our bodies in preparation for famine It stimulates the release of dopamine GABA and glutamate to our dopamine pathways
35
How do most recreational drugs effect the brain
They work on the dopamine system Producing a strong pleasurable effect 'high' With no evolutionary advantage And causing a 'low' when dopamine levels drop again
36
Define tolerance
The need to take more of a drug to gain pleasure due to repeated use
37
Define euphoria
The 'high' strong pleasurable feeling felt when taking a recreational drug
38
Define dysphoria
The 'come down' feeling of the brain regulating dopamine levels again after drug use
39
Define addiction
The compulsive uncontrolled habit of taking drugs
40
Define withdrawl
The symptoms of no longer having a drug active in the nervous system after addiction
41
Outline 3 symptoms of drug withdrawl
``` Anxiety or jumpiness Shaking or trembling Sweating Nausea and vomiting Insomnia and fatigue Depression or irritability Loss of appetite Headaches ```
42
Outline Olds and Milner's research into drugs (1954)
Identified there were probably pleasure centres in the brain that are part of our motivation system Rats pressed a lever to receive a reward of electric to this part of the brain The rats would cross a painful grid to reach the lever The rats preferred the lever to food, drink and sex
43
Outline the effects of cocaine on the brain
Blocks the reuptake of dopamine which over stimulates post-synaptic receptors This causes excessive movement and fidgeting but also creates enjoyment
44
Outline the effects of nicotine on the brain
Binds to an acetylcholine receptor triggering excessive dopamine release Excessive use of nicotine particularly leads to desensitisation due to the change in shape of cells
45
Outline Gorka et al. (2013) research into alcohol
`MRI scans to study activity in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala Alcohol interferes with the ability to pass information between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex. Alcohol activates the dopamine system
46
Outline 3 strengths of the effects of drugs on transmission
Lots of supporting evidence: eg Olds & Milner (1954) Straiker et al (2012) Gorka et al (2013) Straiker et al is reliable research with careful controls Credible as dopamine does link to pleasure and recreational drugs invoke pleasure Reliable as observations of addicts back up the desensitisation and tolerance theory Observing addicts give mundane realism to the research making the results more valid
47
Outline 3 weaknesses of the effects of drugs on transmission
Supporting evidence was performed on rats and mice which doesn't generalise to humans Current tools cannot measure transmission Scanning receptor activity on humans isn't straight forward and potentially unethical Reductionist as it does not discus how there is more than one reward pathway and generalises to all drugs
48
Define the peripheral nervous system
The nerve cells outside of the brain and spinal cord linking the CNS to the limbs and organs of the body
49
What are the 4 lobes of the brain
Frontal lobe Parietal lobe Occipital lobe Temporal lobe
50
Define hippocampus
Located in temporal lobe | Responsible for memory and connects emotions senses to memories (limbic system)
51
Define cerebellum
Controls muscle movement balance and co-ordination
52
Define Striatum
Receives input from the cerebral cortex Controls movement, fine motor functions Inhibits behaviour depending on social situations
53
Define hemispheres
Two halves of the brain Right controls the left side of the body Left controls the right side of the body
54
Define amygdala
Located in temporal lobe | Responsible for memory, decision making, and emotional reactions
55
Define parietal lobe
Responsible for perception, spatial awareness, manipulating objects and spelling
56
Define frontal lobe
Responsible for planning and organising | Personality and control of emotions and behaviour
57
Define occipital lobe
Responsible for sight
58
Define temporal lobe
Holds the bulk of our memories | Controls our ability to understand things and speak
59
Define cerebral cortex
Outer layer of neural tissue covering brain | Responsible in memory attention perception awareness thought language and consciousness
60
Define corpus callosum
Bundle of neural fibres between left and right hemispheres | Connects and passes information between the hemispheres
61
Define ventricles
Contain cerebrospinal fluid
62
Define thalamus
Passes sensory information to the cerebral cortex
63
Define hympothalamus
Controls pituitary gland To regulate temperature, blood pressure, appetite, wakefulness and sexual arousal Involved in some aspects of memory
64
Define pituitary gland
Responsible for producing hormones | eg puberty hormones, thyroid stimulating hormone and stress hormones (eg cortisol)
65
Define brain stem
Controls breathing heart rate consciousness blood circulation basic motor responses Relays sensory information and regulates the sleep wake cycle

AS PSYCHOLOGY P2 (4 decks)

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